[TheForge] OT - The science of driving.

[Andy Vida]

Bill Alleman wrote:
> 
> Bruce Freeman wrote on 1/20/2004, 8:47 AM:
> 
>  > Write a manual of the science of driving.  Include all topics from
>  > physics, etc., that would aid a driver understand why he should or
>  > should not behave in such and such a manner.
> 
> Heh. And you think the _current_ ineffectual training makes the bad
> drivers' eyes glaze over?
> 
> The basic problem is that there's no incentive to learn. A driver's
> license is now considered a right, not the privilege it's intended to
> be.

	This is emminently arguable.  The 10th Amendment, IIRC,
	reserves all non-enumerated rights to "the people", meaning
	each and every one of us.  The right to travel implies
	the right to the means to travel just as the right to self
	defense implies the right to the means of self defense.

> Expectations need to be raised, and a few licenses need to be
> revoked.

	This is done all the time.  Doesn't change anything.
	Sit in a traffic court one night and see how many people
	are asked to surrender their licenses for the manifold
	idiocies they commit on the roads.  Doesn't seem to make
	a dent it the bozo factor on the highways and byways.

> Implement tiered licensing. You wanna drive? Earn it.

	Who sets the standards?  We have standards and I believe they
	are good.  The consequences do not seem to have an appreciable
	effect on the driving population.  Not sure why because they
	are pretty draconian in some cases, especially for DWI, yet
	people still drive drunk as a shyte here with no apparent regard
	for the welfare of others.  I don't think the laws in Norway
	are any worse, yet the designated driver concept is taken VERY
	seriously.  It's cultural, as far as I can tell.  Many Americans
	have learned how not to give a rat's ass about anyone but themself.
	I don't know if that can be readily changed.

> But what
> elected official is going to commit political suicide?

	Any recommendation to behave sanely is political suicide in the
	USA.  Weird nation this is.